Megan Coles, “Our Eliza” playwright, Savage Cove native wins BMO Winterset Award for first novel, “Eating Habits of the Chronically Lonesome”. This is quite an accomplishment!
Savage Cove has fewer than 200 residents. A collective of communities make up the Straits, where all students from Eddies Cove to Anchor Point go to Canon Richards Memorial Academy at Flower’s Cove. I went to high school with Megan. She always possessed creative talents, whether in poems, scripts or short skits. I would think the road to the arts is not always an easy choice, even for those who have incredible skill. Megan is a person who has remained steadfast and committed to pursuing her passion for the pen and paper. It brings great pride that she is from the Great Northern Peninsula. She is such a role model for budding young artists in the region, across the province and country!
Megan Coles (left) graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland and the National Theatre School of Canada. She later co-founded the Poverty Cove Theatre Company, producing her amazing play “Our Eliza” and bringing it home to the Great Northern Peninsula. My sister and I went to see it before the tour at the opening night in the Barbara Barrett basement theatre at the St. John’s Arts & Culture Centre. Megan has since launched other plays and continues to be involved with writers guilds and groups to advance the profession from her home in St. John’s, NL.
On December 9th, I recognized Megan Coles for her literary talents from her first book along with storyteller Earl B. Pilgrim and children’s writer,Gina Noordhof in the House of Assembly in a Private Member’s Statement.
This week, Megan’s win of the 2014 BMO Winterset Award for her book, Eating Habits of the Chronically Lonesome showcases the talent of this young writer, especially given this was her first book. The award is the province’s richest literary prize, at $10,000 and has a special ceremony at Government House. The two other 2014 award finalists were Michael Crummey for Sweetland, and Alan Doyle for Where I Belong.
Megan is currently working on a trilogy of plays examining resource exploitation in Newfoundland and Labrador, The Driftwood Trilogy: Falling Trees, Building Houses, and Wasting Paper. I encourage you to get a copy of her book and support her current and future work.
We have incredible stories that must be shared, especially from the Great Northern Peninsula. Our greatest resource is no doubt our people. Megan Coles is one of our own, deserving of these accolades and will continue to shine throughout her artistic career.
Keep being true to your rural roots and I look forward to your future literary works. Your story is motivating and inspiring! #SupportTheArts
Live Rural NL –
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA (The Straits-White Bay North)
